Some might think that this amount of visibility is science fiction or requires an investment in millions or even billions in new sensors and analytics platforms?
Don’t imagine any more, this future is already here. enLighten OS, is a digital discovery toolkit designed for Utility Network understanding and learning that needs access to the following to be effective; data from a Utilities current smart meter network with decent coverage and accurate topology of the current network. Our advanced Energy Data Analytical Engine allows Utilities to visualize their data in a way that traditional tools do not; the tool learns what is going on across the network and identifies patterns that previously did not seem connected giving Utilities more actionable intelligence that can improve the quality of its network. This makes for smarter maintenance planning and accurate predictions of when future infrastructure investments are required. Depending on the quality, coverage and accessibility of data from the Utilities network, it can begin to see actionable results within few weeks of deploying the solution and give a better understanding of the actual status of its network/Smart Grid.
With enLighten OS a Utilities Control Center team can benefit from access to increased amounts of actionable data enabling better network management and improved understanding of what parts of the network are currently affecting the reliability indexes, such as SAIDI. They can monitor and perceive all the little activity that is taking place in their low voltage network, being more aware of the quality of service their customers are actually experiencing at any given time. With proper interpretation of the Smart Meter events, control center operators don’t have to rely only on experience and the traditional set of low voltage network management tools, but can make adjustments based on real-time inputs and identify areas of the network that are showing signs of immanent need of intervention. Short and frequent fluctuations in voltage level is not only sign of bad power quality, but can also point to a failing device (defined and verified business cases can detect loose contacts and failing transformers). This new set of tools enables Utility operator’s to make the most informed decisions possible, before events reach a critical level being proactive and responding to customer needs before they call to the Utility. Series of events, that previously did not seem interconnected, can even indicate when possible meter tampering is occurring.
Utilities Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) teams can also benefit from the addition of enLighten OS into their virtual toolbox. This advanced analytic platform does not replace existing solutions that IT or OT teams are using, but extends the effectiveness of the actionable intelligence that can be learned from data that was previously not complete enough or considered outside parameters to generate results. For example, IT teams will see how easy enLighten OS is to integrate into their network architecture and OT teams will have improved data quality to help maintain the network – both teams can use the same tool and interface for different results.
These are examples of what increased actionable data can give Utilities. Data that previously was not connected or only used in one tool and not shared with other solutions can now be used to paint a clearer picture of how a Utilities network is actually performing. When using enLighten OS and it’s advanced AI, data can transform into a useful intelligence to enabling Utility operators and architects to better do their jobs.